An expert says an increase in families living in poverty has contributed to a rise in the number of babies dying of cot death.
Māori and Pasifika babies are more likely to die of what's now known as SUDI - Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy.
It has risen significantly since a government programme was launched to reduce numbers in 2017.
Fifty-six babies died in 2020 of SUDI.
Fay Selby-Law, the general manager of the organisation coordinating the programme, Hāpai Te Hauora, told reporter Jordan Bond there's no single reason why the trend has reversed, but living conditions have changed.
